You might be using an unsupported or outdated browser. To get the best possible experience please use the latest version of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Microsoft Edge to view this website. Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations. Pet ownership in the U.S. has jumped significantly over the past three decades. As of 2024, 66% of U.S. households (86.9 million homes) own a pet.[1] That’s up from 56% in 1988, pet ownership statistics show. From companionship to emotional support, pets are a vital part of their owners’ lives. In fact, 97% of pet owners consider their pets to be a part of their family.[12] Forbes Advisor conducted a deep dive into the latest available pet owner statistics to determine which pets are most popular, how pet ownership and spending habits differ by generation, the cost of pet ownership and the most common lifestyle sacrifices made by pet owners. 66% of U.S. households (86.9 million homes) own a pet.[1] Dogs are the most popular pet in the U.S. (65.1 million U.S. households own a dog), followed by cats (46.5 million households) and freshwater fish (11.1 million households).[1] Millennials make up the largest percentage of current pet owners (33%), followed by Gen X (25%) and baby boomers (24%).[1] In 2022, Americans spent $136.8 billion on their pets, up nearly 11% from 2021 ($123.6 billion).[1] Essential dog expenses cost an average of $1,533 annually.[10] 42% of dog owners and 43% of cat owners got their pets from a store, while 38% of dog owners and 40% of cat owners got their pets from an animal shelter or rescue.[2] The percentage of pet owners in the U.S. spiked over the past 35 years, according to pet owner statistics analyzed by Forbes Advisor. The steady rise in pet ownership in the U.S. comes at a time when pet insurance is also rapidly gaining in popularity. As of 2022, more than 4.8 million pets are insured, a 124.9% increase from 2018. [8] As of 2024, 66% of U.S. households (86.9 million homes) own a pet.[1] Pet ownership has increased significantly over the past three decades. In 1988, only 56% of U.S. households owned a pet.[1] More than half of pet owners (51%) consider their pets to be as much a part of their family as a human family member. [12] 78% of pet owners surveyed by Forbes Advisor acquired pets during the pandemic.[3] Households with annual incomes of $100,000 and over are most likely to own pets: 63% of households in this income bracket own dogs and 40% own cats. [2] Homeowners are more likely to own pets than renters: 58% of homeowners have a dog and 36% have a cat versus 39% and 29% of renters respectively.[2] Americans in rural areas are more likely to own pets than Americans in suburban and urban areas. 71% of adults living in rural areas have a pet.[12] Residents of rural areas are also more likely to have multiple pets: 47% of adults in rural areas have more than one pet, compared with 32% in the suburbs and 26% in urban areas.[12] 42% of dog owners and 43% of cat owners got their pets from a store, while 38% of dog owners and 40% of cat owners got their pet from an animal shelter or rescue.[2] 23% of dog owners report getting their dog from a breeder compared to 7% of cat owners.[2] Over one third of Americans (35%) have more than one pet.[12] Millennials make up the largest percentage of current pet owners (33%), followed by Gen X (25%) and baby boomers (24%).[1] Gen Z pet owners (ages 18 to 25) are far more likely than other age groups to have a variety of pets.[3] Gen X pet owners (ages 42 to 57) are the least likely to own pets that aren’t cats and dogs, such as hamsters, birds and fish. [3] The most common pets in the U.S. are dogs and cats, but there’s still a lot of love for other animals and species. Millions of households include fish, birds and small animals like hamsters and rabbits. Whether cats or dogs make better companions has long been a bone of contention among many pet parents. Popularity certainly has nothing to do with how much a pet is loved by its human family. But in terms of ownership, more households include dogs than cats. Dogs are more popular than cats in the U.S. As of 2022, 44.5% of U.S. households own dogs and 29% of households own cats.[2] Between 2016 and 2022, the percentage of U.S. households who own dogs increased by 6.1 percentage points, from 38.4% to 44.5%, while the percentage of households that own cats increased by 4 percentage points, from 25% to 29%.[2] While the love of a pet is priceless, the cost of owning one is not. Veterinary care, grooming, food, treats and other outlays can add up quickly. A Forbes Advisor analysis found that essential dog expenses cost an average of $1,533 annually.[10] Dog owners who rely on doggy day care twice per week can expect to spend an additional $2,980 per year on average. [10] And if an unexpected vet bill pops up for a major incident, you can be on the hook for thousands of dollars—42% of pet owners say they can’t cover a surprise vet bill of $999 or less without going into debt.[6] Pet insurance can partially reimburse you when you pay the bill for your pet’s unexpected accidents and illnesses. While you may not want to add another expense to your pet care costs, you might be surprised at how affordable pet insurance can be. The average pet insurance cost for dogs is $44 a month, and the average pet insurance cost for cats is $30 a month, based on Forbes Advisor’s analysis. Having pet insurance is like putting a leash on your potential vet costs so they don’t run out of control. That can leave you with more money to spend on spoiling your furry companion. Dog owners spend the most on veterinary care ($367 per year), food ($339 per year) and grooming ($99 per year).[2] Cat owners spend the most on food ($310 per year), veterinary care ($253 per year) and toys ($50 per year).[2] Gen Z pet owners (ages 18 to 25) are the most likely to spoil their pets with birthday cakes (34%), birthday presents (39%) and clothing or costumes (32%).[3] Gen Z pet owners are also the most likely to spend money on behavioral training (41%), doggy daycare (35%), specialized pet food (44%) and dog walking services (31%).[3] A Forbes Advisor analysis found that Winston-Salem, North Carolina, tops the list of most expensive cities for dog owners. [10] Greensboro, North Carolina; Bakersfield, California; El Paso, Texas; and Memphis, Tennessee round out the top five most expensive cities for dog owners.[10] Three of the top 15 most expensive cities for dog owners are located in Nevada, including North Las Vegas, Las Vegas and Henderson. [10] California cities appeared at both the top and bottom of the list. Two of the 15 most expensive cities for owning a dog are located in California, including Bakersfield and Fresno. Two of the 10 most affordable cities for dog owners are also located in California, including the city that ranked cheapest overall, San Jose.[10] Americans spent $136.8 billion on their pets in 2022, up 10.68% from 2021 ($123.6 billion).[1] This includes $58.1 billion spent on pet food and treats, $31.5 billion spent on supplies, live animals and over-the-counter medications, $35.9 billion billion spent on vet care and $11.4 billion spent on other services (all services outside of veterinary care such as boarding, grooming, pet insurance, and training).[1] Between 2018 and 2022, the amount spent on pets in the U.S. increased by 51.16% from $90.5 billion to $136.8 billion.[1] There’s no denying the benefits of dog ownership, but being responsible for a dog comes with challenges. These obligations can cause some to have regrets about owning a dog, a Forbes Advisor survey of 2,000 dog owners found. Messes, challenges in finding care for the dog and dog training are among the top reasons they regret getting a dog. The cost of vet bills is also a burden for some dog owners, and can affect how often dogs go to the vet. 54% of dog owners have regrets about getting a dog.[5] Dog owners cited cleaning up after a dog as the biggest challenge associated with dog ownership (27%), followed by finding care for the dog when traveling or going to work (26%), training the dog (25%), cost (24%) and barking or whining (24%).[5] A vet bill of $999 or less would cause 42% of pet owners to go into debt, while a vet bill of $499 or less would cause 28% of pet owners to go into debt.[6] 3% of pet owners gave their pet away between 2021 and 2022.[6] The top reasons cited for selling or giving a pet away were inflation (12%), the rising cost of rent (10%), inability to afford a pet’s medical bills (7%) and the cost of pet deposits for apartments (5%).[6] Nearly all pet owners (97%) consider their pets to be a part of their family.[12] And a Forbes Advisor survey of 10,000 dog owners found that dog owners make professional, financial and lifestyle sacrifices for their canine companions. [7] 39.29% lived on a tighter budget to afford their dogs’ expenses. 13.96% moved from an apartment to a house so their dog would have a yard. 7.47% stayed at a job they disliked because it allowed them to work remotely or had a dog-friendly office. 6.78% broke up with a significant other who didn’t like their dog. 5.25% took a pay cut or accepted a position with fewer benefits to work remotely or have access to a dog-friendly office. 4.57% left a job they liked because another company let them work from home or had a dog-friendly office. 36% of dog owners reported that they would spend $4,000 or more out-of-pocket on life-saving medical care for their dogs. Five of the top 10 states with the most devoted dog owners are located in the Pacific and West, including Colorado, Alaska, Nevada, Washington and Oregon.[7] Ohio dog owners were most likely to report living on a tighter budget to afford their dogs’ expenses (51%), followed by Wisconsin (44.5%) and Montana dog owners (44%).[7] Nevada dog owners were most likely to report that they moved from an apartment to a house so their dogs would have a yard (20%), followed by Colorado (19.5%) and Kansas dog owners (19%).[7] Nevada dog owners were most likely to leave a job they liked because another company let them work from home or had a dog-friendly office (8.5%).[7] Dog owners from Rhode Island were most likely to stay at a job they disliked because it allowed them to work remotely or had a dog-friendly office (15.5%).[7] A Forbes Advisor survey of 10,000 dog owners found that Florida tops the list of states with the most spoiled dogs. Alaska, Washington, Colorado and California round out the top five states with the most spoiled dogs.[4] Features like hardwood floors, stainless steel appliances and skyline views are nice, but that’s not the top priority for many pet owners. Almost three-quarters (72%) of prospective home buyers with pets would pass on their dream home if it didn’t accommodate their pets.[11] If you’re a pet owner on the hunt for pet-friendly apartments with access to nearby dog parks, pet stores and affordable veterinary costs, we compared the 91 most populated cities to find the best cities for pet owners. We analyzed data across four key categories: cat and dog veterinary costs, veterinary access and pet-friendly spaces. We found that Tucson, Arizona, tops the list of best cities for pet owners, followed by Raleigh, North Carolina; Nashville, Tennessee; Wichita, Kansas; and Cincinnati, Ohio. [9] Four of the top 10 cities for pet owners are located in the South, including Raleigh, North Carolina; Nashville, Tennessee; Plano, Texas; and Louisville, Kentucky. [9] Pet owners in Memphis, Tennessee, pay the lowest vet prices for both dogs and cats. San Francisco is the most expensive city for dog veterinary care and ties with San Jose, California, as the most expensive city for cat veterinary care.[9] Among dog owners who do not have pet insurance and are unlikely to buy pet insurance in the next three months, 42% said the primary reason is because they think it’s too expensive, according to a Forbes Advisor survey. Yet 89% of dog owners estimate that the cost of pet insurance is higher than it actually is. Only 11% of dog owners correctly estimated an average cost below $50 a month. And 76% of dog owners overestimate the cost of pet insurance by at least three times the average price, our survey has found. Pet insurance plans typically have a choice of maximum annual coverage amounts, such as $5,000, but some plans offer unlimited annual coverage. This financial safety net can help dog owners reduce the potential cost of a dog. Half (50%) of dog owners say they are very concerned or somewhat concerned about their ability to pay for an unexpected vet bill in the next three months. Pet insurance is a good way to help offset expensive vet bills for problems like ACL ruptures, broken bones, cancer, heart disease, swallowed objects and common illnesses, such as ear infections and digestive issues. Dog owners without pet insurance are vulnerable to the prospect of racking up debt to pay a surprise vet bill. Dog owners on a tight budget may have to face some tough financial decisions when it comes to their pups. While 51% of dog owners say they’d cut spending on items such as dog treats, outfits and toys, some dog owners say they’d cut veterinary-related expenses to save money. More than one-quarter (27%) of dog owners say they would not pay for surgery for their dogs (elective or emergency) and 17% say they would reduce veterinary checkups. Pet insurance can help cover costs such as surgeries and medication. In addition, you can typically add a wellness plan to cover the cost of routine vet checkups and vaccinations. Despite fears of big vet bills, 47% of dog owners say they are unlikely to buy pet insurance in the next three months. Nearly two-thirds (63%) of pet owners said they would have difficulty paying a surprise vet bill amid inflation, according to a Forbes Advisor survey on pet costs and inflation. More than a quarter of pet owners (28%) said a vet bill of $499 or less would cause them to go into debt, while a bill of $999 or less would cause 42% to go into debt. Nearly one-third (30%) of survey respondents said they are much less likely or somewhat less likely to buy pet insurance amid inflation. And 22% said they were much more likely or somewhat more likely to buy pet insurance amid inflation. Online surveys of 1,000 U.S. adults who own at least one dog were commissioned by Forbes Advisor and conducted by market research company OnePoll, in accordance with the Market Research Society’s code of conduct. Data was collected May 8-22, 2023. The margin of error is +/- 3.1 points with 95% confidence. This survey was overseen by the OnePoll research team, which is a member of the MRS and has a corporate membership with the American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR). For a complete survey methodology, including geographic and demographic sample sizes, contact pr@forbesadvisor.com. We'd love to hear from you, please enter your comments. Information provided on Forbes Advisor is for educational purposes only. Your financial situation is unique and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. 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